London: A British journalist, who participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla, praised Trkiye's hospitality after being deported from Israel but stressed that the most important thing Ankara did was to take activists to doctors and lawyers and gather "evidence of crimes against humanity." Kieran Andrieu is one of the 13 British citizens who were detained by Israel after it attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters.
According to Anadolu Agency, Andrieu, in an interview at Heathrow Airport where he arrived with three other British activists, described the challenging journey that exceeded their expected duration due to difficulties encountered. Despite these hardships, he emphasized their shared commitment to Palestine and the solidarity developed among the activists. He highlighted the legal violations by Israeli forces, who intercepted their boat and detained them under international law.
Andrieu recounted the harsh treatment they received during detention, including denial of water and essential medicines. He criticized the conditions in which they were held, describing overcrowded cells and the disposal of medicines for prisoners with heart conditions. He challenged Israeli officials' claims that the flotilla activists were "terrorists," pointing out their peaceful intentions and humanitarian cargo.
The activist condemned the labeling of flotilla participants as terrorists, calling it "pathetic" and "laughable." He described the torture they endured during detention, including being forced to kneel for extended periods. He shared an incident where an activist experienced a medical emergency, and Israeli officials ignored their pleas for help.
Andrieu expressed gratitude for the hospitality he received in Trkiye following his deportation, appreciating the care and comfort provided by Turkish authorities. He emphasized the significance of Trkiye's efforts to document evidence of crimes against humanity.
Israel has deported around 170 participants of the Gaza flotilla, with the majority sent to Istanbul and smaller groups to Italy and Spain. The flotilla aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel's blockade, which has been in place for nearly 18 years. Since October 2023, Israeli bombardments have claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives in the enclave, mostly women and children, making it uninhabitable.